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Anyone’s vote may be crucial for the beginning of the end of an era!

Anyone’s vote may be crucial for the beginning of the end of an era!

Kae Matundu-Tjiparuro Many voters may think that next Wednesday, 27 November, which is voting day, is crucial. It cannot be because it is and can neither be the beginning nor the end of anything. As voting is not a matter of just casting one’s vote on any given day, month, and year, like on 27th November, 2024. For many voters, especially those who have not been blindly loyal to any political party and/or formation, particularly those who take their votes seriously, have already pledged them to any political party or formation, receiving nothing but empty promises in return. However, even…
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Namibia2Go redefines travel with new facility at HKIA

Namibia2Go redefines travel with new facility at HKIA

Niël Terblanché Gondwana Collection Namibia has unveiled its state-of-the-art Namibia2Go car rental facility at Hosea Kutako International Airport (HKIA), setting a new benchmark in car rental services and redefining travel experiences in Namibia. The grand opening of the facility on Wednesday is a new milestone in Gondwana’s journey to deliver not just a service, but an unparalleled travel experience for both local and international visitors. Gys Joubert, the managing director of Gondwana Collection Namibia, said at the vent that the Namibia2Go facility is not just another car rental hub; it embodies Gondwana’s commitment to innovation, excellence, and Namibian hospitality. “At…
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No Soldier Coerced to Vote – Defence ED

No Soldier Coerced to Vote – Defence ED

Martin Endjala The Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs (MODVA) has denied allegations that soldiers were coerced to vote for a particular political party during the special voting day held on 13 November. Responding to claims made by Affirmative Repositioning leader Job Amupanda, MODVA executive director Wilhelmine Shivute on Wednesday refuted the accusations, emphasizing that soldiers exercise their civil rights independently. “The soldiers participate in an election to exercise their civil rights and are not in any way mobilized or coerced to vote for a particular political party or movement,” Shivute explained. Amupanda alleged that senior military officials pressured soldiers…
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Insult driven politics; the logic of name-calling, insults, threats, accusations, conspiracy theories, incitement and violence

Insult driven politics; the logic of name-calling, insults, threats, accusations, conspiracy theories, incitement and violence

Paul T. Shipale Namibia Media Trust director, Zoé Titus, says the increase of misinformation and disinformation during elections are tactics aimed at eroding trust, creating confusion and influencing voter behaviour. This should not be a surprise as we come closer to election day to hear different stories about contesting presidential candidates and political opponents fabricating lies, distributing fake news and artificial intelligence (AI) pictures to tarnish the integrity of their opponents instead of engaging in mature political campaigns and comply with the code of conduct signed with ECN rather than engaging in name-calling, especially during the last stretch to the…
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UPM calls for amendment to public transport regulation

UPM calls for amendment to public transport regulation

Martin Endjala The United People’s Movement (UPM) president, Jan van Wyk, has called for amendments to legislation regulating Namibia's public transport sector, citing concerns over illegal operators. He said many public transport operators evade taxes, reducing the sector’s contribution to the economy. Van Wyk was responding to questions sent to him by the Windhoek Observer, on the current status quo of public transport in the country and how to address it. “We have realised that the industry has been flooded with illegal operators, which makes it difficult to regulate the industry, especially between local authority boundaries. Therefore, the UPM’s position…
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Governor and municipality clash over Walvis Bay’s 30th reintegration celebrations

Governor and municipality clash over Walvis Bay’s 30th reintegration celebrations

Niël Terblanché The much-anticipated 30-year, or Pearl Celebrations, of the Walvis Bay enclave’s reintegration into Namibia, have been unexpectedly postponed, triggering a war of words between the Office of the Governor of the Erongo Region and the Municipality of Walvis Bay. Initially scheduled for Thursday, the celebrations have been rescheduled to 7 February 2025 due to what Governor Neville Andre described as a "political witch-hunt" and "flimsy, politically motivated undertones." Andre, in a public notice, expressed disappointment over the Walvis Bay Municipality’s rejection of his office’s request to use municipal facilities for the historic event. “This decision has come as…
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Rundu Rural constituency councillor questions accuracy of VaMbunza population data

Rundu Rural constituency councillor questions accuracy of VaMbunza population data

Allexer Namundjembo Rundu Rural Councillor and National Council member, Paulus Mbangu has raised concerns over the accuracy of the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA)'s recent census report, which estimates the VaMbunza population at only 5 000. Mbangu described the figure as “highly questionable,” arguing that it does not reflect historical and demographic realities. “In Kavango East and West, the "VaKavango NEC" grouping stands out as another example of such problematic classifications. With over 81 000 people who reportedly ‘did not disclose their dialect,’ this category ends up larger than established communities like the VaMbunza, VaGciriku, HaMbukushu, VaSambyu and Nyembas,” he said.…
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CoW tackles street vending regulations

CoW tackles street vending regulations

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The City of Windhoek has reiterated its commitment to enforcing municipal by-laws that regulate street vending, following a recent incident involving law enforcement’s intervention in Katutura. The city insists that its actions aim to balance public order, safety, and the needs of vendors. The CoW’s spokesperson, Harold Akwenye, explained that the city operates under specific by-laws to govern street vending. “The city is responsible for ensuring compliance with these regulations, which are in place to maintain public health and safety, as well as urban aesthetics. Areas around shopping centres like Balck Chain in Katutura are subject to these…
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Vehicle accessory theft surges in Omaheke Region

Vehicle accessory theft surges in Omaheke Region

Mallex Shipanga The Omaheke Region is experiencing a surge in vehicle accessory theft, with ten cases reported between September and November, according to the Namibian Police’s regional head of community policing, Chief Inspector Fina Sakajengenga. Two suspects have been arrested in connection with these crimes. “Criminals are stealing wheels and other accessories from vehicles by using special tools to unlock universal lock nuts on wheels. They target vehicles where the house fence or boundary wall is low as well as houses without garages and dogs. Vehicles owned by females and motor mechanic garages without security guards and CCTV cameras are…
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Sam Nujoma Foundation condemns fake news on social media

Sam Nujoma Foundation condemns fake news on social media

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Sam Nujoma Foundation has condemned the circulation of fake news on social media that abuses the image of Namibia’s founding president for political propaganda and electioneering purposes. In a statement issued on 21 November, the Foundation called on the public to remain vigilant and avoid falling for deceptive tactics aimed at spreading misinformation. The Foundation clarified that these actions seek to damage the reputation of Sam Nujoma, whose contributions to the nation are widely recognised. "The Sam Nujoma Foundation distances itself and the Founding President from any partisan agenda or misuse of his image," the Foundation stated.…
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